3 Mar 2025
Travellers to Namibia can now apply online for the 'Visa on Arrival', which will be valid from 1 April 2025. The Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration and Security, Albert Kawana, activated the application platform this morning at the push of a button.
The 'Visa on Arrival' saves time when applying and processing at the immigration counter, explained Kawana. It also allows holidaymakers to embark on their journey with confidence and ease.
At the same time, Kawana emphasised that the new visa requirement is based on the principle of reciprocity. It applies to citizens of countries that do not allow Namibians visa-free entry.
These include countries in the main tourist source markets in Europe such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the Benelux countries, Great Britain, France and Italy. In total, the Visa on Arrival is valid for citizens of 90 countries. The website lists 28 countries from Africa and 62 countries from other continents.
The visa fee for citizens from countries that are not members of the African Union (AU) is 1,600 Namibia Dollar (currently 82 Euros; amount at the current exchange rate, 1 N$ = 1 Rand). Citizens of AU states pay 1,200 Namibia Dollar. There is no discount for children.
The online platform for applying for the 'Visa on Arrival' can be found on the 'E-Services' website of the immigration authority. However, it should not be confused with the application page for the 'Holiday Visa', which has been available for certain countries for some time.
Requirements for the online application and subsequent entry:
According to the announcement, the processing time is 48 hours. This would be one day shorter than the officially stated 72 hours for the ESTA visa for the USA.
The reference to 30 days on the website under the heading 'Visa on Arrival' is somewhat misleading. It is valid for 90 days, according to the travel industry. The visa also allows repeated entry, although this is not explicitly mentioned. This is important for excursions for cruise travellers, for example.
As its name suggests, the 'Visa on Arrival' can also be applied for directly on arrival. The immigration counters should be equipped with card readers for credit cards. This applies at least to the international airports at Windhoek and Walvis Bay and the main border posts at the country's borders.
Those arriving before 1 April do not yet need the new visa, even if they leave the country after 1 April.
The government had already announced the visa last May (see report on Namibian.org).
Sven-Eric Stender
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